Are Wake and Durham Schools Parent-Friendly?

John Locke Foundation education policy analyst Terry Stoops writes in his new report that the public school systems in Wake and Durham counties have improved their grades on his parent-friendly report. You’ll find the details on Wake and Durham here, and the full report here. Stoops discusses the report in this brief interview.

CJ’s Don Carrington Discusses Easley/Rand Connection

Monday morning, Don Carrington was a guest on WPTF’s morning show to discuss this Carolina Journal exclusive story, which details the connection between former governor Mike Easley and state Sen. Tony Rand. From the story:

New information developed by Carolina Journal shows that former Gov. Mike Easley’s 2005 Cannonsgate real-estate deal was not the first time Easley was involved in a deceptive land transaction.

The information shows that Easley acquired a lot and a home on exclusive Bald Head Island some years earlier with the assistance of state Sen. Tony Rand of Fayetteville.

You can hear the WPTF interview here, or by visiting www.wptf.com. Click on “On Demand” and then “North Carolina’s Morning News.”

Can You Say Massive Ego?

I hate to break it to Roy Williams, but many things in life are more important than his 600th win. Here’s a snippet from the Charlotte Observer’s blog, as Roy’s ego is firmly on display:

“I wish some of our fans who weren’t here tonight would get a little more passionate and get their rear ends here. That was discouraging at the start of the game. But I love those, the ones that were here. The other ones, I think I should take a camera shot, and anyone who wasn’t here tonight — stop them at the door if they try to come in for Michigan State [on Tuesday]. Tell them I sold their dad-gum ticket.”

How dare anyone actually spend the last evening of Thanksgiving weekend with family, rather than with Roy.

8:40 AM Monday on WPTF: Don Carrington on Easley/Rand Relationship

This morning at 8:40, Carolina Journal investigative reporter Don Carrington will be a guest with Scott Fitzgerald to discuss this new CJ story, which details a land deal that involves former governor Mike Easley and state Sen. Tony Rand (D-Cumberland).

New information developed by Carolina Journal shows that former Gov. Mike Easley’s 2005 Cannonsgate real-estate deal was not the first time Easley was involved in a deceptive land transaction.

The information shows that Easley acquired a lot and a home on exclusive Bald Head Island some years earlier with the assistance of state Sen. Tony Rand of Fayetteville.

In addition, it’s unclear from the public records how much Easley paid for the property. In 2007, CJ reported that Easley paid less for his Bald Head Island home than a nearly identical house sold for at the same time.

Tune in at 680 AM on the dial, or online at www.wptf.com. Click on “Listen Live.”

Discounts are Great, But Retailers Might Get Boost With Just 2 Words

All weekend I marveled at the incredible discounts being offered by all sorts of stores. Most online folks have been offering free shipping, gift cards with purchase, and other extras to entice shoppers. But a new poll from Rasmussen should give all the retailers a hint about a very simple way to appeal to consumers.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 72% of adults prefer “Merry Christmas,” while 22% like “Happy Holidays” instead.

Older Americans favor “Merry Christmas” more than younger adults.

Of course, that would require the retailers to be politically incorrect. Will they kick political correctness to the curb?

Modern Landfills: Environmentally sound and cost-effective

One argument in favor of Cary’s recycling program is to reduce solid waste in landfills. While recycling of certain materials makes sense, for others disposal in a modern landfill is the best option both for the environment and our economy. Contrary to popular belief, modern landfills are environmentally safe, relatively small, no longer odorous and rat infested, and there is plenty of space for them near Cary. They provide a very cost-effective means of disposal of our refuse, create new open space for recreation and even provide a clean renewable energy through the extraction of landfill gases. Read more to learn about advanced technology for waste management.

Is Cary planning masssive increases to taxes and fees?

Town Manager Ben Shivar’s Budget Message from this summer included some ominous wordage: “… we will need … increased revenues through fees or taxes … in the very near future.” With debt service forecast to nearly double in the coming few years, unless the Town starts tightening its belt, dramatic increases in property taxes and utility fees can be expected. Shivar’s message hints at a 33% increase in property taxes will be needed soon. See details here.

Cary approves $17m Orwellian water meter project

In what can only be described as the stealth delivery of an early turkey, the Cary Town Council gave its final approval for a $17m program to install electronic water meters (AMR) in our homes that are capable of reporting your water usage on an hourly basis. Hello, Big Brother. Despite promises in August by Karen Mills, the project’s manager, to provide the Cary Watchmen with details for review (she didn’t), the Town staff and Council have decided to force this Orwellian system on citizens only days after Councilwoman Julie Robison assured us that AMR was “dead” due to lack of funding. The Cary Watchmen wonder why all the secrecy, and given the dire state of our economy, why now? Might this be related to the Town’s plans for massive increases in property taxes and fees? Read about the recent history of this highly questionable project here.

Somebody tell News 14 and Duke about Climate-gate

It’s been documented that the most uncovered story in the lamestream media is Climate-gate, the story about climate-change scientists fudging their numbers to make it look like there actually is global warming.

But you’d think that stories in which academic beta males whine about the Triangle turning into the desert Southwest would be pulled until this brouhaha is settled. Or, at minimum, some nod would be made editorially to the scam that’s been going on. But not at News 14 Carolina today.

“Hide the Decline”

An instant classic based on the Tommy James and the Shondells’ “Draggin’ the Line”: